Dudley council leaders are under pressure to apologise after nearly £10,000 was spent on a parish council feasibility study in Cradley that critics have labelled a Liberal Democrat vanity project.
The issue was raised during a full council meeting on December 1, where members debated the findings of the study, which overwhelmingly rejected the creation of a parish council.
The feasibility study came about as part of a deal struck between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party, with the Lib Dems agreeing to support the Tories’ council budget in return for funding several priorities, including the study.
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Originally, up to £75,000 was earmarked for the project, which ultimately cost just over £8,000. The study concluded that there was little community appetite for establishing a parish council, with more than 82 percent of respondents opposed.
Labour councillor Keiran Casey expressed frustration, stating, “Residents in Cradley have rightly given this the punishment it deserves. Despite everything we have heard, no apology has been offered by the controlling group for including this impractical idea in the budget, potentially wasting £75,000. Nor have the Liberal Democrats apologised for pushing it when they could have proposed any number of alternative initiatives. It is completely disgraceful.”
Labour’s finance spokesperson, Councillor Shaukat Ali, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the overwhelming opposition to the study.
Reform UK’s Councillor Shaun Keasey described the feasibility study as a costly vanity project, accusing the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives of poor judgment in backing it.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Ryan Priest acknowledged that proposing a parish council was a significant request. He defended the move, citing ongoing financial challenges faced by councils due to funding cuts from Westminster. Priest argued the study was a responsible effort to explore ways to protect local services amid budget pressures, dismissing the need for an apology.
Supporting Priest’s stance, Conservative leader Councillor Patrick Harley criticised Labour’s response, calling for them to apologise instead for national budget decisions. Harley praised the Lib Dems for their pragmatic approach in last year’s budget negotiations, which included requests for road repairs in Cradley alongside the parish council study. He emphasised that in a council with no overall control, compromise and mature discussions are essential to deliver lawful budgets.
The debate highlights continuing tensions between party groups in Dudley council over budget priorities and prudent use of taxpayer funds.